Electric cars promise a cleaner future, but the reality is messier. The batteries that power them are made from materials mined at a high environmental and human cost. And the electricity charging these cars? Often generated from coal and other dirty sources.

Even when their time is up, disposing of electric car batteries is a toxic challenge. The truth is, electric cars are not the perfect solution they’re made out to be. It’s time we stop idolizing them and start looking at the full picture.